Barry's story

"I'm not someone that has ever used the Samaritans service but I know people who had. I saw how they had helped people so I wanted to do something I love, running marathons, to fundraise for them. I then decided I wanted to train to become a listening volunteer, to try to help others that needed someone to listen to them. The service Samaritans provide is amazing. 24/7, every day of the year. I'm proud to run for them and to be a part of the volunteer team. This will be my 9th London marathon but my first for a charity I volunteer for!

Being a Samaritans listening volunteer for a nearly a year now has been really eye opening, in terms of the volume of calls we receive and the range of reasons why people call. Having the chance to be the person someone can speak to when they may have no one else to turn to is a big responsibility that makes me glad I volunteer.

"I would also say to anyone reading this who is struggling right now and thinking of calling: please pick up the phone and make that call. Everyone should have someone they can talk to. Samaritans can be that person for you. We won't judge you or give you advice, but we’ll give you that space to explore your feelings and talk things out. We do care and we are there for you 24/7. Whatever the time, whatever the issue, we listen.”